01.12.21 Turquoise is the traditional birthstone for December although some prefer tanzanite or even blue topaz, traditionally associated with November. Turquoise is a great choice as it can be relatively inexpensive and is often used in very affordable jewellery as well as designer pieces which are out of the reach of most. Superior quality turquoise is rare and can be pricey. Turquoise is of course typically turquoise in colour. It can also be green and sometimes have beautiful copper inclusions. These days most readily available turquoise beads and cabochons have undergone some kind of enhancement or stabilization since it’s a very soft stone which can dull and mark easily.

Turquoise has been valued as a stone for thousands of years and was much beloved of Ancient Egypt. Used for jewellery and also found in the shields and battle gear of ancient warriors, it still carries its association today with personal protection. For the ancients, this might have been invading marauders but it is just as powerful today to eliminate negative energies and to protect against outside influences or atmospheric pollutants.

This is a stone of purification and is connected to the healing energy of water and its properties of renewal and rejuvenation. It can instil inner calm and tranquility by stabilising mood swings, combating exhaustion and depression and is said to help with panic attacks. It’s also an excellent stone for meditation. Turquoise is said to assist with creative problem solving, denotes friendship and stimulates romantic love.

Dyed howlite is often misrepresented as turquoise although it’s permissible to call this “turquenite” or “howlite turquoise.” From a spiritual point of view, it’s an acceptable substitute (as long as the buyer is not deliberately misled of course) since it is made with the intent to represent the real thing and, as such, shares its energies and metaphysical properties.

There are also some naturally occurring gemstones which can easily be mistaken for turquoise including variscite which looks just like green turquoise. Very confusingly, variscites and turquoises can grow together in rocks and these occurrences are referred to as “variquoise.”

We’ll focus on turquoise in this instance and you can shop all currently available items HERE.